10. Squirtle

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In the distant sea off Cerulean City, a fishing boat drifted slowly along the waves.

With the sea breeze blowing, Kai and his three Pokémon leaned back on the deck, savouring a rare moment of relaxation.

Eevee: "Eee...vee!" (I wonder what's beyond this ocean!)

Bulbasaur: "Bulba...saur!" (You always want to explore, don't you?)

Eevee: "Vee...vee!" (Don't you? There could be whole new islands out there!)

Bulbasaur: "Bulba! Bulba!" (I think I'm good right here on the shore!)

Eevee: "Eee...!" (But what if there's even better sun on another beach?)

Bulbasaur: "Saurrr..." (Hmm, maybe... but I'm still cozy right here!)

Eevee: "Vee-vee!" (One day, let's go across the waves together!)

Bulbasaur: "Bulba-saur!" (Alright, one day!)

Meanwhile Kirlia was gazing towards Kia.

The warm sunshine poured down, making everyone feel so content they didn't want to move.

Unfortunately, the strong fishy smell on the boat marred what would have otherwise been a perfect, peaceful trip.

After more than an hour of sailing, the fishing boat finally stopped at the edge of a small island.

The rugged captain, face weathered from years at sea, stepped out of the cabin and said to Kai, "Brother, this is the place you were looking for. We're heading further south into the deep sea. When we return tonight, we'll come by to pick you up. Best of luck out there!"

"Thank you!" Kai called, hopping off the fishing boat and watching as it sailed away. Then, he turned to examine the small island.

This island was lush and green, encircled by trees, with a solitary mountain at its centre.

Dense shrubs grew in neat rows along the mountain, giving it the appearance of a massive turtle shell from afar.

This was Blastoise Island a place uncharted on most maps, known only to the Pokémon residing here and the most seasoned of fishermen who could navigate to it.

True to its name, the island was home to a Blastoise and a colony of its pre-evolved forms Wartortle and Squirtle.

Kai had searched long and hard at the docks and asked many locals before someone finally agreed to ferry him to this elusive island.

However, his real target wasn't Blastoise; he didn't have a death wish.

Crossing the beach and entering the forest, Kai soon spotted a group of playful Squirtle and Wartortle.

He took out his phone, snapping a few photos of the area. He wanted to send them to Professor Cerise, but with no cell signal, he had to give up for now.

After observing the group for a while, Kai stepped forward to approach them.

"Squirtle, Squirtle!"(this human is weird)

"Wartortle… Wartortle!"(should we call the boss [Blastoise] )

The Squirtle and Wartortle were startled by Kai's sudden appearance, but they didn't flee. Instead, they stood still, looking at him curiously.

"Perfect," Kai said, addressing them. "Pokémon, I'm gathering teammates to challenge the Pokémon League. Does anyone here want to leave and travel the world with me?"

In this magical world, most Pokémon could understand at least some human language.

Hearing Kai's invitation, the Squirtle and Wartortle exchanged glances but showed no immediate interest.

"Squirtle!" (weak)

"War-tor-tle… Wartortle!!" (Baby Squirtles are Stronger than you)

Only one Squirtle, perhaps mischievous or curious about Kai, stepped forward.

"Squirtle, Squirtle!" ( let's test you )

"Brave one, aren't you?" Kai smiled. "All right, let's battle! If I win, you'll be my partner!"

The other Squirtle and Wartortle made way as Kai readied himself.

He pulled out his Pokédex and pointed it at the blue Pokémon standing before him.

The Pokédex chimed: "Squirtle, the Tiny Turtle Pokémon. A Water type. Squirtle's strong shell protects it from attacks. It sprays water at opponents as a powerful counterattack."

Raising his hand, Kai called, "Bulbasaur, it's your turn!"

"Bulba, Bulba!" Bulbasaur stepped forward, facing Squirtle.

With the Pokémon ready, Kai gave his command: "Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip!"

Two vines shot out from Bulbasaur's bulb, striking towards Squirtle.

Calmly, Squirtle pulled its head and limbs into its shell just as the Vine Whip closed in.

There were two light snaps as the vines struck Squirtle's solid shell, resulting in only minor damage.

Emerging from its shell, Squirtle retaliated with a Water Gun, sending a stream of water towards Bulbasaur.

"Bulbasaur, dodge it!"

Kai's command came in time, but as Bulbasaur dodged, it still got partially drenched by the Water Gun.

"Bulbasaur, use Leech Seed!"

A seed shot from Bulbasaur's bulb, but just as it neared, Squirtle countered with a series of bubbles, nullifying the attack.

Kai grinned. "You've got some impressive instincts for a wild Squirtle."

"Squirtle, Squirtle!"

Kai pointed ahead, commanding, "Bulbasaur, use Vine Whip again!"

The vines shot toward Squirtle once more, and just like before, Squirtle withdrew into its shell.

But this time, Kai was ready. "Bulbasaur, wrap it up and hold it tight!"

Instead of retracting, the vines coiled around Squirtle's shell, tightening with each loop.

"Squirtle?!"

Squirtle, surprised, tried to poke its head out, but all exits were blocked. It squirmed but couldn't break free.

"This is called getting caught in your own trap," Kai chuckled. "Bulbasaur, lift it and give it a taste of the pendulum!"

Following Kai's command, Bulbasaur hoisted Squirtle up with its vines, then swung it down hard onto the ground, repeating the move a few times.

When there was no movement from inside the shell, Kai motioned for Bulbasaur to release its hold.

Seeing that Squirtle was motionless, Kai threw a Poké Ball.

In a flash of red light, the capture was successful, the ball barely shaking.

Kai had caught his fourth Pokémon!

But his celebration was cut short by a distant roar, and the ground began to shake. From the sound of it, a powerful Pokémon was approaching.

"Blaaah-stoise!!!!!!" A deep, confident cry, indicating attention and readiness.

It seemed the battle had attracted the attention of the Blastoise guarding the island.

Kai knew he'd have to hide until the fishing boat returned to retrieve him.

"Bulbasaur, return! Let's move before things get too dangerous!"

…

As the sun set and rose again, Kai found himself back on the mainland, standing on the streets of Cerulean City.

After a night of rest and recovery at the Pokémon Center, Kai, along with his four Pokémon, was ready to head out toward Pewter City.

In his spare time, he sent the photos from Blastoise Island to Professor Cerise.

As a special field researcher for the Cerise Laboratory, his trip to Blastoise Island had allowed him to document its unique ecology, fulfilling his research duties perfectly.

But just as he was about to leave Cerulean City, a tall boy with green hair and a backpack stepped in front of him.

"Hey, you there! Wait up! Would you be interested in a battle?"

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